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Do you love Scythe as much as we do? (Ok – as much as Katherine does?) Have you never played, but always wanted to? Do you have no idea what this game is?

Don’t worry – you don’t have to be a Scythe professional or even know how to play the game to join us. Scythe is a game that is intuitive and easy to pick up, but you benefit from playing various factions, multiple times to truly appreciate the intricacies and depths of the game. And we want to encourage that (mainly, so Katherine will always have people to play with). So don’t let “tournament” influence your choice. Yes – yes, there will be prizes. But – (ready for some corn?) playing is it’s own reward. (warned you).

The details:

At the con there will be a max of 4 rounds of games, depending on the number of participants, single elimination…with the final table hosting up to 4 factions w/ a random distribution of factions and action mats. Those who participate in the “qualifier rounds” leading up to the con may win a seat that will get them a bye for the first (possibly 2nd) rounds.

The “Qualifier Rounds” – I use this term lightly, because we’re going to be fairly relaxed about how you go about playing. We’ve got 12 Saturdays between now and the end of March that we will be visiting area games stores (you’ll know the schedule now, it’s posted at the end) and you’ll play at least one game (possibly two, if you’re quick – like a ninja). We’ll be there to join in the games, post some pictures, record results, etc… You can bring a game, if you own a copy – or just use one of ours. Points will be awarded as follows: You win the game. (yay!) – you get 10 points., you come in second (small yay?) – 7 points, you come in third (well – you placed) – you get 5 points, you played (participation trophy anyone?) – 1 point. That’s it. At the end of all 12 sessions – the top three point holders will receive a FREE pass to MoonCity Con and at least the first round bye for the tournament itself. (Even CLOSER to the grand prize). Speaking of – what is this prize you refer to. Well. I can’t say. Not yet. But it’s going to be fantastic. Amazing. Something you will cherish! Or at the very least be proud to say you won.

So – come play Scythe. (there may also be cookies. That’s the rumor at least)

Schedule (unless otherwise noted hours will be noon-5p)

October 7th: – we’re at GAME, come play with us! – we’ll have Scythe there too

Answer: The MoonCity Convention is a 2-day board gaming and tabletop convention.

Question: Where is the MoonCity Convention?Answer: The convention will be held the Oasis Convention Center in Springfield, MO. The address is 2546 N Glenstone Springfield, MO 65803.

Question: When is MoonCity con, and what are the hours of the MoonCity Convention?Answer: The MoonCity convention will be open from 10:00 A.M. to midnight on Saturday, April 14th, and 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Sunday, April 15th.

Question: Will children be allowed at the MoonCity Convention?Answer: Children 6-12 will get in for the weekend for $10 with an accompanying ticket holding parent or guardian. All children 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Question: Will there be vendor booths at the MoonCiy Convention?Answer: Vendor booths will go on sale October 1st. Booths will $40 for a “One day” booth, and $70 for a “Two day” booth. Each vendor booth will come with two convention passes for the booth holder.

Question: Is outside food or drink allowed at the MoonCity Convention?Answer: No, outside food and drink is prohibited. There will be a vendor cart selling snack and drinks, and the convention center is connected to the Fire & Ice restaurant which has even more food choices. On top of those options, there are more than a dozen other food choices with-in a stone’s throw.

Question: Can I bring my own games to the MoonCity Convention?Answer: Absolutely. While we will have a nice library of games to check out during the convention, feel free to bring a few of your favorites to play and possibly to share with the people you meet at the convention.

Question: Is Rick always the werewolf? Answer: Absolutely. And when he’s not – he still is on their side, so lynch him anyway.

Our library list is growing – keep checking back for more. Please note: ** Titles can be scheduled/reserved to be played in the library only/ @MegaCiv can be available if pre-scheduled for 10-18 players.

With GenCon still fresh on my mind, Geekway to the West Patron tickets on sale this week, BGG Con a few months away and of course Moon City *constantly* in the mix, I’ve been mulling over what draws me to the Con scene and why I spend, literally, all of my vacation days for conventions.

So – first and foremost, let’s discuss this year’s GenCon.

The 50th – a HUGE convention. Almost intimidatingly so. Upon reflection, there was only really one day (the first) where I really felt like there were *that* many more people… Thursday morning at 8a felt like Saturday at 2p – the halls were a crush. Other than that, the vendor hall felt about the same to me, as well as the rest of the con. I think GenCon did a smash up job of keeping the flow of traffic and people moving throughout the “Best Four (and a half) days of Gaming”. With the addition of Lucas Oil (which I *still* have not ventured over for a walk through), the crowds have been well dispersed. Plus they increased the vendor hall tremendously – which I also think made for an easier time when I finally made my rounds.

All people’s motivations for going to various cons are unique.

GenCon has fantastically diverse pull: every single type of gaming, cos-play at an almost professional level, and of course the newly released (or soon to be) games, and the shopping. Most of my gaming friends from the local scene ask me about the spectacle of it all – what were the new hot games, what did I get, etc..? But that’s not how I do a con. I don’t rush to the vendor hall and fight for the new limited released games or the special promos or any of that. Though – I do completely understand the draw.

My main attraction to cons is the experience of gaming with new people. Older games that I may have played 20-30 times, but through the fresh eyes of different interactions at the table. That and really epic games. Games that you can’t get to on a typical game night. (we’ll get to that in a few). But when you play with the same people consistently, there becomes a certain interaction that will cloud all games, even new ones that you haven’t played before. And while this is good to hone certain habits – or learn to change things about yourself, it’s also fantastic to experience a game you know through and through with new players. First and foremost, the obvious of different ways of attacking the strategy, new insights on how to manipulate certain features/actions. Not just that, people’s choices are clouded by their experience with you – so if you play a game with all new players, you get a new experience because the interaction is completely different.

Epic games are another major attraction for me at cons. To me an epic game is anything that is over the three hour mark as the standard. Games that you build up with a fantastic arc and so satisfying conclusion. Here’s the thing with those types of games, I understand that it can be frustrating to invest so much time and energy into a game that ends in defeat – but the beauty of the epic game is not the winning or losing, it’s the moments in the play that such interesting and crazy things occur that you don’t get in shorter games. You don’t have the same tension, build up and arc in the shorter (still great) games. Die Macher is fantastic because regardless of the front runner in rounds 2 or 3, the way an election can fall to switch out the Nation’s platform can completely change the game in the last round. But it wouldn’t be the same game if you didn’t have the full build up of all 7 rounds. You get a gaming experience like none other when you play an epic game. You get to know people on a completely different level. So – if you’ve never had the opportunity or time to participate in one of those 4+ hours, come join us at Moon City this spring – message me with any requests, I will be sure to give you some great options to schedule an unforgettable experience. (plus – there are always cookies when you game with me.)

Get your tickets today – email me at [email protected] to get a game scheduled. #meeplenewpeople

We’ve reached 800 plus members in our MeetUp group. That’s a number we’re very proud of. The 417Gamer group has been trying to cultivate the board, card, and tabletop gaming in the area. Largely centered in and around Springfield, most of the meetings and gaming events take place in the queen city. Gaming weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays, there is almost always some type of gaming taking place during the week.

Thanks to the great gaming stores in Springfield, it is not hard to find a place to play. Finding people to play used to be the issue. The 417Gamer group grew from a small group of about a dozen or so gamers, to what it is now grown to around 30 regulars every Thursday night at Meta-Games one of our friendly local game stores.

The most important part is YOU. The 417Gamers group is made of people like you. Coming out to gaming events, sharing with friends and families, and evangelizing our group IS our biggest asset. We come from different walks of life and with different views, but when the box opens a bond is made over those cards, bits of wood, hunks of plastic, and folding pieces of cardboard.